The Parks and Recreation Department operates and maintains over 100 acres of park grounds including its home office at the Recreation Center, a 50 acre Athletic Complex at 1 Recreation Drive on Hwy 101. Parks and Recreation facilitates and works with various youth athletic associations including T-Ball, Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball, Babe Ruth Softball, Youth Soccer, Pop Warner Football and Cheerleading, Youth Basketball, and Youth Lacrosse. Recreation also facilitates for adult Church and Co-Recreation Softball.

The Recreation Center offers a full court gymnasium, exercise/weight room, arts and crafts room and conference room. Parks and Recreation Staff operates an eight week Summer Camp. Other program offerings at the Recreation Center include high and low impact aerobics, Pilates, Yoga, and Swing Dance lessons. Parks and Recreation also works with local middle and high schools as well as Craven Community College in hosting athletic and classroom activities.

Parks and Recreation is involved with several various special events including the July 4th Freedom Festival and Fireworks show, Music in the Park Series (Thursdays in August and first two in September) at City Park, Chili Festival and Road race, and Christmas in the Park. In conjunction with the Recreation Advisory Board, we also hold an annual Easter Egg hunt.

Park and Recreation Staff are always entertaining new program offerings and looking for positive enthusiastic volunteers. To share program ideas or volunteer with YOUR Parks and Recreation Department, please drop by the Recreation Center or give us a call at 444-6429.

Mission Statement (Why We Exist)

Through our valuable assets, resources and community partnerships including Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point we will provide a complete range of cultural, passive and active recreational opportunities to attain the highest quality of life possible for all citizens.